Euronews

An investigation into the death of Tour de France winner Marco Pantani has been reopened, according to Italian media reports.

Family members of the cyclist are said to have presented fresh evidence, alleging that Pantani was beaten by a group of men, forced to drink cocaine and murdered. They also reportedly claim that key evidence was missed in the initial inquiry.

A giant of Italian cycling, Pantani was found dead in a hotel room on Valentine’s Day 2004. His death was ruled accidental – the result of a drug overdose – but his family has long contested those findings, suspecting foul play.

Pantani cemented his place as a sporting great in 1998, winning both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the same year.

Allegations of drug use and a cocaine habit dogged his latter years, before his death aged 34.